(BLOOMINGTON) - The Indiana University license plate has been ranked first overall in terms of sales and popularity of specialty license plates in the state of Indiana, according to a report by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles released in January.

"We're elated to be No. 1 overall," said Deputy Executive Director of the IU Alumni Association Debbie Lemon in a press release. "The record sales figures for the IU plate this year - and in other years - speaks to the strong reputation that IU has around the state."

As far as collegiate-brand plates are concerned, in 2011, Purdue placed second with 43,035, behind IU's 48,282.

This is the first time the IU license plate has launched to the top of the list. The plate beat out the Heritage Trust specialty license plate, which had 48,192 plates sold to motorists around the state.

"Strong sales of the IU plate mean continued strong support of our alumni programs," Lemon said in the release. "We appreciate the support from around the state, and we hope that it continues."

The revenue generated from the sales of the license plates comes full circle for IU students.

In the press release, Lemon said a portion of the revenue is geared toward IU student scholarships as sponsored by the IUAA Scholars program.

The IU collegiate license plate was the first of its kind.

Many universities have followed IU since. The IUAA has sponsored the IU license plate program since its inception in 1991.